Education Resources

Surgeons' Group Gives Gift of New Hips, Knees to Uninsured

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 25, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of
Americans struggle daily with degenerative, painful and crippling
knee or hip arthritis, or similar chronic conditions that can turn
the simplest task into an ordeal.

Fortunately, for those immobilized by their disease, hope exists
in the form of knee or hip replacement, long considered the best
shot at improving quality of life.

The hitch: a prohibitive price tag.

"Unfortunately, I've lost three jobs due to downsizing since 2006," said 51-year old Susan Murray, a Freehold, N.J., resident. Murray has been combating a connective tissue disease that has progressively ravaged her knees. "And about six months ago I lost my health coverage," she said. "I just could no longer afford to pay my bills and also keep up with my insurance payments."

So despite an illness that leaves her cane-dependent and in
constant pain, the single mother of three had no way to pay the
$50,000 to $60,000 average out-of-pocket cost for both surgical and
postsurgical care.

Enter Operation Walk USA (OWUSA).

According to OWUSA, the program was launched in 2011 as an
annual nationwide effort to provide joint replacement surgery at
zero cost for uninsured men and women for whom such expenses are
out of reach.

The initiative is an outgrowth of the internationally focused
Operation Walk, which since 1996 has provided free surgery to more
than 6,000 patients around the world, according to an OWUSA news
release. OWUSA initially solicited doctors and hospitals to
volunteer their services one day each December to surgically
intervene in the lives of American patients in need.

This year the effort has expanded greatly, as 120 orthopedic
surgeons joined forces with 70 hospitals in 32 states to offer
joint surgery to 230 patients spanning the course of a full week in
December.

"With millions of people affected, we're trying to reach out to those who are underserved," said Dr. Giles Scuderi, an OWUSA organizer and orthopedic surgeon. The knee arthroplasty specialist currently serves as vice president of the orthopedic service line at North Shore LIJ Health System, an OWUSA participant based in the greater New York City region.

"Now by underserved we're really talking about 'population USA'," he added. "That is, everyday people in our communities, our colleagues, our friends, people who lost their insurance for whatever reason. Maybe they had a job that they could no longer perform because of their illness, and so lost insurance, and couldn't get it again because of a pre-existing condition. Maybe they could still get it but just can't afford it."

Another case is that of Joel Kent Matthews, a 50-year old farmer
and truck driver in Smithville, Ark. After decades of sometimes
excruciating hip pain from a head-on car collision at age 27,
Matthews finally underwent total hip replacement surgery on Dec. 7.
The cost: nothing, care of OWUSA and participating health providers
at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock.

Scuderi recalled another case.

"There's a nurse's aide in my area who had lost her job due to severe knee arthritis, and then had no insurance," he said. "She qualified for the program last year, had the surgery, and now is actually employed again, by our hospital, as a nurse's aide. So it's a wonderful story that's come full circle."

"The point is that we, as orthopedic surgeons, recognize the kind of impact that degenerative hip and knee arthritis can have on a patient's life, and how difficult it is for people who are living without health care coverage to deal with it and get their lives back," Scuderi said. "So we want to get the message out that we care, and want to make a difference in their lives and well-being."

That's a message that Murray and her family have received.

"This has meant everything to me," she said, one week after being discharged from Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City, where on Dec. 3 she underwent double-knee replacement surgery.

Murray described her oldest daughter's efforts to alleviate her
suffering. "She was very upset about what she was witnessing. My
being in pain every day. Because I used to be very active. I used
to ride my bike. I used to kayak. And at work, as an account
manager and customer service rep, I used to deal with people all
the time. I was very active and visible. So my daughter wanted me
well again. She wanted me to dance at her wedding."

Ultimately, friends of Murray reached out to OWUSA on behalf of
the family. She was called in to meet with Scuderi, who offered her
a chance at surgery on the spot.

"And all of them -- the doctors on operating day, the nurses and physical therapists afterwards -- the whole team took care of me soups to nuts," said Murray, who now faces two to six months of recovery. "Everyone was wonderful and the generosity has been overwhelming. It's almost like a miracle. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for anything more life changing."

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.